Must-Visit: Retro “Sento” Laundries in TokyoMore Than Just Washing: Experience a Traditional “Sento” while you WaitMust-Visit: Retro “Sento” Laundries in Tokyo
Wash Your Clothes, Soak Your Body
Waiting 60 minutes for your laundry to finish can be boring. You could stare at your phone, or you could turn a chore into a unique Japanese cultural experience.
In older neighborhoods of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, you can often find coin laundries attached right next to traditional public bathhouses, known as “Sento” (銭湯).
What is a Sento-Laundry?
Historically, many homes in Japan didn’t have baths or washing machines. People would go to the local Sento to bathe and wash their clothes at the attached facility. This tradition continues today.
These laundries are often older and more retro than modern chains, offering a nostalgic atmosphere that tourists rarely see.
The Ultimate Local Routine
Here is how to maximize your time like a local:
- Start the Wash: Put your clothes in a machine at the attached laundry. Note the finish time.
- Enter the Sento: Go next door, pay the entrance fee (usually around 500 JPY), and enter the public bath.
- Relax and Soak: Wash your body thoroughly before entering the large, hot tubs. Admire the painted mural of Mt. Fuji on the wall (common in Tokyo Sento).
- Collect Clean Clothes: After a refreshing soak, get dressed and return to the laundry just as your machine finishes.
In about an hour, both your clothes and your body are spotlessly clean and refreshed!
Important Note on Tattoos
While Sento are amazing local experiences, many traditional bathhouses in Japan still have strict rules against tattoos. If you have visible tattoos, you may be refused entry to the bathing area.
Please check the Sento’s policy beforehand or consider using private shower rooms at hostels if this is a concern. The attached laundry area, however, is open to everyone.
Conclusion
Don’t just wash clothes—immerse yourself in local life. Finding a retro Sento-laundry combo is a highlight for many travelers seeking the “real” Japan.
